Tbactok-wheel



H. KUflK.

TRACTOR WHEEL. APPLICATIOIP'FILGD Dec. s. 1918.

- Patented Sept. 16,1919.

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H. KURK.

TRACTOR WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 6. 191.8.

1,316,453. Patented Sept. 16-, 1919.

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- avwwwbo'c H Kari? Wan m HENRY KURK, OF NEW ALBIN, IOWA.

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Specification .of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept.16, 1919.

Application filed December 6, 1918. Serial No. 265,577.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY KURK, a citi zen of the United States,residing at New Albin, in the county of Allamakee and State of Iowa,have invented new and useful Improvements in Tractor-Wheels, of whichthe following is a specification. 1

This invention relates to improvements in tractor wheels of that typewherein mudhooks are arranged for connection with the wheel and adaptedto be projected into an operative position ,or withdrawn into aninoperative position at the will of the user.

The present invention is directed more particularly to the provision ofmeans for maintaining the rigidity and guiding. the mud-hooks inoperation. In connection with the mounting of the mud-hooks the invention contemplates the simple operating means, whereby the hooks'may beprojected to or withdrawn from an operative position, such operatingmeans contemplating the specific details whereby said parts may bereadily assembled for use in connection with the usual tractor wheel, ordisconnected therefrom when repairor replacement is necessary.

.1, having spokes 2 radiating from the ends thereof, and carrying attheir outer ends the usual rim 3, having tractor bars 4: secured uponthe circumference thereof, all as shown in the drawings. The rim of thewheel is formed at the terminus point with openings 4:, of a size andshape corresponding to the sectional contour of the mudhooks 5. Themud-hooks are here shown as rectangular blocks and inwardly of the rim,such blocks are guided in brackets 6, which brackets are preferablyU-shaped members rigidly secured'to the inner surface of the rim andradiating therefrom to guide and support the mud-hooks in operation. Thebrackets form an essential feature of the present invention, as theyrigidly support and guide the mud-hooks. 7

An operating means is provided whereby the mud-hooks may be projectedinto an operative position or withdrawn into an inoperative position atthe will of the user. This operating mechanism is designed particularlto permit it to be readily secured to the 11b of the wheel or to beremoved therefrom, and this particular detail forms an essential part ofthe present invention.

The operating mechanism comprises a collar 7, formed in two sections andadapted to embrace the hub 1. The clamp band 8 is arranged to encirclethe collar section, the clamp band being also formed in two parts,having end flanges 9 adapted to abut when the sections of the clamp bandare in position to encircle the collar, suitable fastening means 10engaging the end flanges and securing the clamp band and thereby thecollar injfixedv relation.

The clamp band is formed at determinate points, corresponding in numberto the number of mudehooks, with transverse recesses- 11 on the innerside of the band, in which recesses are fitted the operating rods 12.These rods are U -shaped in form with the cross bars lying in' therecesses 11, between the band and collar, the parallel portions of therods extending outwardly from the collar, as shown. The outer or freeend of the rod sections are formed with lateral terminals 13, adapted toseat in openings formed in plates secured to the inner ends of themud-hooks.

The mud-hooks and operating means or collar and band are thus connectedby the rods, and if the band is rotated with respect to the hub,'themud-hooks may be projected beyond the rim of the wheel or withdrawn fromsuch projected position at will.

It is important that means he provided whereby the operating mechanismmay be locked in either of its adjusted positions, and such means ishere shown as comprising a strip 14: secured to adjacent spokes andformed with a series of openings. An arm 15 is rigidly secured to thecollar and projects across and beyond the strip 14. The

arm is formed with an opening adapted to register with any one of theopenings in the strip 14, and suitable fastening means 16, as a bolt orthe like is provided whereby the arm may be secured rigidly to the stripwhen said arm has been moved to the desired ad justed position.

It is apparent that by ad usting the arm the mud-hooks may be projectedinto an operative'or withdrawn into an inoperative position at the willof the user. It 1s further evident that in the use of the mudhooks inprojected plosition, a greater portion of the strain t or no strainbeyond that necessary to project or withdraw the mud-hooks. Theoperating mechanism here described may be readily assembled with orseparated from the hub simply by removing the fastening means of theclamp-band, and separating the band and parts of the collar. Thisrovides for readily applying the parts of t e operating mechanism as maybe necessary or removing them for repair or renewal when desired.

ereon is borne by the brackets, and hence the rods 10 have little Havingthus described the invention what is claimed as new is A tractor wheelhaving mud-hooks operating through the rim thereof, brackets secured onthe' inner surface of the rim and rigidly sup ortin and guiding themudhooks, a spit col ar encircling the hub of the wheel, a sectionalband clamped about and securing the collar section, said band beingformed with transverse depressions on its inner surface, rods comprisingU-shaped members having the cross bars seated in the depressions in theband and held against

